A narcissist curse?

It was as if there was an undeclared curfew. Early in the morning [May 31], Istanbul police closed down all major roads leading to Gezi Park, the sparking point of the 2013 nationwide anti-government protests. Why? The obsessive majoritarian government of the elected neo-sultan did not want people gather and remember the nine young sons of this country who fell victim to brutal governance.

Two years later, the government, nowadays waging a survival battle ahead of the June 7 parliamentary polls, still suffers from an acute understanding problem, still thinking the Gezi protests were an international plot to overthrow it. It was, of course, difficult to concede that the Gezi incidents were neither simply an environmentalist protest nor just an anti-Justice and Development Party protest, exploited by the ?external enemies? of Turkey, ?envious? of the great advances achieved under the neo-sultan?s governance, but just a proud ?No? to the obsessive, patronizing leadership style and allegiance culture that veiled the country. A simple ?Guys, it was a mistake to think of cutting down trees of Gezi Park and build a plaza and replica of ancient Ottoman barracks in its place? The municipality will take into consideration the neighborhood?s opinion in planning further city developments? statement would have ended the protests and nine young lives would have been saved.

However, protestors opposing the excessive use of force, police brutality, administration arrogance, and patronizing leadership style received exactly and even more than what they opposed. A ruthless dictatorial mentality unleashed a viperous campaign to demonize all opposition. What the Gezi uprising protested unfortunately used horrendous and excessive force to stop Gezi and similar protests...